Two large earthenware lokapala

Description:

China, Tang Dynasty
H. 94 /93 cm
Beautifully moulded, very large figures of the guardians of the world, standing with clenched fists in threatening gestures on monuments üabove plinths in relief. They wear magnificent armour, the details of which have been beautifully sculpted. Their facial features reflect their lust for battle, while modelled peacocks sit atop their sweeping helmets. Rötliche earthenware with applied engobe and remnants of coloured painting and applied gold.
From a German private collection, acquired at Nagel, 7.5.1994, lot 28 - A copy of a TL test from 1994 is preserved
Cf. 'Academia Sinicia, Office of Archaeology, Xi' an jiaoqu Sui Tang mu', Peking 1965, pl. IX:2. (There a very äsimilar figurine that comes from tomb no. 501, which was discovered in the area of Xi'an in the province of Shaanxi. This figurine is dated to the late 7th century/mid 8th century - Part rest., repl. and chipped